Definition & Types of Bullying

Bullying is really just another form of abuse: it’s about teens using power to control other teens, with the intention to cause harm. Being bullied is hurtful and humiliating. It’s not an accident or joke—it’s a repetitive action that happens to a designated person or group over a period of time.

A lot of teens describe bullying as, “When someone tries to make you feel less about who you are as a person, and you aren’t able to make it stop.”

Let’s be Clear:

Intent.Bullying has the intent to hurt or humiliate another – physically, emotionally or even spiritually.

Power.Bullying has an imbalance of power. Teens who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or social status – or when a group gangs up on someone.

Repetition.Bullying behaviors happen repeatedly.

Hard to Defend.The target of the bullying has a hard time defending themselves from the bullying.

Hurtful.All bullying is hurtful. When it keeps going, it can cause long-lasting harm.

Responsibility.The target of bullying is never responsible for the bullying – it is not their fault.The responsibility is that of the bully or bullies and the bystanders

“Toughen Up.”Bullying is not a “right of passage” and it is not about the targets of bullying just “toughening up.”It is abuse, it is intentional, there is an imbalance of power, it is repetitive and it is hard to defend against.

Students who bully can be any size, age, grade, or gender.

Strong people don’t put others down. They lift them up.

Michael P. Watson

Three Types of Bullying (CyberBullying Follows)

There are three types of bullying and then there is cyberbullying.

Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things:

Teasing

Name-calling

Inappropriate sexual comments

Taunting

Threatening to cause harm

Social bullyingis sometimes referred to as relational bullying:

Leaving someone out on purpose

Telling peers not to be friends with someone

Gossiping and spreading rumors

Embarrassing someone in public

Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions

Hitting/kicking/pinching

Spitting

Tripping/shoving

Taking or breaking someone’s possessions

Sexual assault

Why do we as girls bring down other girls, when we know how hard life can be for girls.